Monday, February 10, 2014

The Winter Olympics always make me want to watch James Bond, probably because Bond himself has always had an affinity for winter sports. While the athletes at Sochi face the true dangers inherent to such competition, Bond's winter games entail more outlandish challenges. Here's a look at some of 007's best events.Skiing

For Bond, skiing includes threats even more sinister than a biased Olympic judge. The danger could be in the form of gunmen on skis . . .

On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

. . . gunmen shooting from the villain's lair . . .

On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

. . . gunmen on motorcycles . . .

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

. . . gunmen in snowmobile propeller parachute things . . .

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

. . . or an avalanche.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969)

Bond doesn't always ski with traditional equipment; spiked tires and outrigger skids make even his Aston Martin suitable for the slopes.

The Living Daylights (1987)

Ski Jumping

Bond's ski runs sometimes include a jump motivated more by the need for escape than by the thrill of victory.

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

Though a traditional hill is often passed over in favor of a cliff . . .

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

. . . a helicopter . . .

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

. . . a roof . . .

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

. . . or a picnic table . . .

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

Some jumps require special equipment . . .

The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

. . . and all look better with explosions.

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

Snowboarding

You know, while being shot at by gunmen on skis.

A View to a Kill (1985)

Ice Skating

Skating makes Bond nervous, especially when he needs to fend off an awkward infatuation.

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

Hockey

Bond's hockey is a contact sport with badly unbalanced teams.

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

Bobsledding

A sled is not always required. Chasing a sled while on skis still gets points, provided Bond is himself being chased by a henchman on a motorbike.

For Your Eyes Only (1981)

Sleds can also be improvised, as from a cello case.

The Living Daylights (1987)

An actual bobsled is preferable, however, because it offers more room for grappling with archenemy Blofeld.